Phynix

What Phynix does

Phynix (legal entity PHYNIX Sensortechnik GmbH) is a privately-held German precision instrument manufacturer founded in 1999 and headquartered in Neuss, Germany, with all production carried out domestically. The company designs, manufactures, and sells coating thickness gauges and adjacent surface measurement instruments used for non-destructive quality assurance of coated components. Its core technology is built on three physical measurement principles: magnetic induction (DIN EN ISO 2178) for nonmagnetic coatings on ferrous substrates, eddy current (DIN EN ISO 2360) for non-conductive coatings on non-ferrous metals, and ultrasonic measurement for wall thickness gauging including through-paint echo-echo mode.

The product portfolio centers on the registered Surfix® family of coating thickness gauges (Pro X, EX/SX, Pocket-Surfix X, easy X) alongside PaintCheck for automotive paint thickness, specialized gauges for steel mesh measurement (tires, conveyor belts), ultrasonic wall thickness gauges (DC-2000C, DC-3000C), the KR-110 piezoelectric roughness tester, cross hatch cutters, and porosity detectors. Supporting the hardware, Phynix sells proprietary probes, high-temperature accessories up to 350°C, calibration standards, and data transfer software, plus after-market calibration, certification, and repair services. Products are ISO 9001 certified and built to international DIN/ASTM standards.

Phynix operates a channel-led go-to-market, selling primarily through authorized regional distributors across more than 50 countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa, supplemented by direct quote-based enterprise sales (notably a multi-year tender win with Volkswagen AG covering 52 countries and 32 languages). Pricing is quote-based with disclosed minimum order values, indicating a B2B industrial customer mix spanning automotive, metal processing, galvanic, paint shop, and laboratory end markets. The company has 11-50 employees, no disclosed outside investors, and is led by Managing Director Dr. Hendrik Brenig.

Name

Phynix

Legal name

PHYNIX Sensortechnik GmbH

Website

https://phynix.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Phynix (PHYNIX Sensortechnik GmbH) is a privately-held German manufacturer of precision coating thickness gauges and surface measurement instruments using magnetic induction, eddy current, and ultrasonic technologies, serving automotive, metal, galvanic, and laboratory customers globally via a distributor network spanning more than 50 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Test & Measurement Equipment (Coating Thickness Gauges)

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Metrology, Inspection & Machine Tool Accessories (CMMs, Probing, Gauging) (IMAHADAK)

Keywords

• Coating thickness gauges
• Surface measurement instruments
• Non-destructive testing equipment
• Ultrasonic wall thickness gauges
• Industrial quality control instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Coating Thickness Gauges: Sale of precision coating thickness measurement instruments including Surfix® Pro X, Surfix® EX/SX, Pocket-Surfix® X, Surfix® easy X, and PaintCheck product lines. These are one-time hardware purchases with potential for accessories and calibration services.
2. Probes and Accessories: Sale of measurement probes (standard, special, and steel mesh probes), high temperature feet, calibration standards, software, and wet film thickness measurement tools as consumables and replacement parts.
3. Surface Measurement Instruments: Sale of surface quality measurement equipment including cross hatch cutters, porosity detectors, roughness testers (KR-110), and wall thickness gauges (DC-2000C, DC-3000C).
4. Calibration and Certification Services: Certificates for gauges and calibration standards, EMS Services, and repair services provided as after-market support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

PHYNIX Sensortechnik GmbH designs, manufactures, and sells precision non-destructive measurement instruments — primarily coating thickness gauges (Surfix Pro X, Surfix EX/SX, Pocket-Surfix X, Surfix easy X, PaintCheck) using magnetic induction and eddy current methods, along with ultrasonic wall thickness gauges (DC-2000C, DC-3000C), surface roughness testers (KR-110), cross-hatch cutters, and porosity detection equipment. Supporting the hardware are probes, high-temperature probe feet, calibration standards, data transfer software, and calibration/certification services. All products are manufactured in Neuss, Germany and sold globally through a distributor network spanning 50+ countries.

Product overview

PHYNIX is a German manufacturer of precision measurement instruments specializing in coating thickness measurement and surface testing equipment. The product portfolio centers on the Surfix® series of coating thickness gauges (Pro X, EX/SX, Pocket-Surfix® X, easy X) which use magnetic induction and eddy current methods for non-destructive coating measurement. PaintCheck provides dedicated paint thickness measurement for automotive applications, while special purpose gauges serve niche markets like steel mesh measurement for conveyor belts and car tyres. Supporting the gauge line, PHYNIX offers comprehensive probes, high-temperature probe feet (up to 350°C), calibration standards, and data transfer software. The surface measurement division includes wall thickness gauges (DC-2000C, DC-3000C) using ultrasonic technology for measuring through coatings, the KR-110 roughness tester for Ra/Rz/Rq/Rt parameters, cross hatch cutters with multiple blade options for adhesion testing per DIN EN ISO 2409 and ASTM D3359-02, and porosity detection equipment. All products are manufactured in Germany at the Neuss facility and sold through a global distributor network spanning over 50 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Surfix: Product line of coating thickness gauges including Surfix Pro X, Surfix EX/SX, Pocket-Surfix X, and Surfix easy X
• PaintCheck

Products and services

• Surfix Pro X High-precision coating thickness gauge with advanced features for professional coating thickness measurement on various substrates.
• Surfix EX / Surfix SX Modern coating thickness gauges for precise measurement with updated technology and features.
• Pocket-Surfix X Portable and precise coating thickness gauge designed for field use and mobile applications.
• Surfix easy X Modern and versatile coating thickness gauge suitable for various industrial applications.
• PaintCheck Precise and non-destructive paint thickness measurement device for automotive and industrial applications.
• Special Purpose Gauges Specialized coating thickness gauges designed for measurement on steel mesh, including car tyres and steel cord conveyor belts.
• Probes Measurement probes including standard, special, and probes specifically designed for steel mesh applications.
• High Temperature Feet Specialized probe accessories for measuring coating thickness on hot surfaces up to 350°C.
• Calibration Standards Gauge calibration standards for ensuring precise and accurate measurement results.
• PHYNIX Coating Thickness Software Software solution for simple data transfer and measurement data management from PHYNIX coating thickness gauges.
• Wet Film Thickness Measurement Inexpensive wet film thickness measurement tools for checking coating thickness during application.
• Cross Hatch Cutter Precision cross hatch cutters for measuring coating adhesion according to DIN EN ISO 2409 and ASTM D3359-02 standards.
• Porosity Detection Equipment for detecting porosity in electrically insulating layers on metal surfaces.
• KR-110 Roughness Tester Surface roughness tester for determining roughness parameters Ra, Rz, Rq, and Rt on metals and non-metals using piezoelectric scanning technology.
• DC-3000C Wall Thickness Gauge Compact ultrasonic wall thickness gauge with dual-element probe, color display, automatic probe detection, and echo-echo mode for measuring through paintwork up to 400mm.
• DC-2000C Wall Thickness Gauge Universal ultrasonic wall thickness measurement gauge for metallic and non-metallic materials with automatic probe identification and multiple probe options.
• Cross Hatch Cutter Blades High-quality multiple blade devices made of tool steel with 6 or 11 cutting edges for cross hatch adhesion testing according to DIN EN ISO 2409 and ASTM D3359-02.
• Certificates for Gauges Manufacturer's test certificates for coating thickness gauges.
• Certificates for Calibration Standards Manufacturer's test certificates for calibration standards.
• EMS Services EMS (Electromagnetic Shielding / related) services provided by PHYNIX.

Quantifiable outcome

• Non-destructive measurement - coating thickness is measured without damaging the surface or underlying layers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Agaram IndustriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 June 2026PHYNIX Sensortechnik appointed Agaram Industries as new sales and service partner for the Indian market. With sales and service teams across India (Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR), Agaram Industries will support distribution and promotion of PHYNIX coating thickness gauges in India.
• Volkswagen AGflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 October 2025PHYNIX paint thickness gauge was selected in an international tender and is part of Volkswagen AG's official workshop equipment. Devices were adapted to Volkswagen AG corporate identity guidelines. The product is approved for 52 countries with operating instructions in 32 languages. The collaboration is based on a three-year contract.
• TAN TRI Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 January 2024PHYNIX Sensortechnik GmbH appointed TAN TRI Co., Ltd. as new dealer in Vietnam. TAN TRI will distribute the complete PHYNIX program of coating thickness gauges in Vietnam. The company was established in 2006 and operates in anti-corrosion paint, paint spraying equipment, sandblasting, and paint testing machines.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Helmut Fischer (Fischer Technology): Helmut Fischer is a German-based global leader in coating thickness measurement, materials analysis, and nanoindentation instruments. It is the closest direct peer to Phynix, with overlapping product lines in magnetic induction and eddy current coating thickness gauges serving the same automotive, metal finishing, and QA/QC customers.
• Elcometer: Elcometer is a UK-based manufacturer of coating thickness gauges, surface profile, and adhesion/inspection instruments. It directly competes with Phynix's Surfix line in paint shops, galvanic, and industrial QA applications, and is one of the most commonly benchmarked brands in the segment.
• Defelsko: Defelsko manufactures coating thickness gauges (PosiTector series) and surface profile instruments, including ultrasonic and eddy current methods. It competes head-to-head with Phynix across industrial and automotive paint inspection use cases.
• ElektroPhysik: ElektroPhysik is a German manufacturer of coating thickness measurement instruments using magnetic and eddy current methods. It is a direct, German-headquartered peer to Phynix with similar 'Made in Germany' positioning and overlapping DIN/ISO standards-based product compliance.
• BYK-Gardner (ALTANA): BYK-Gardner, part of ALTANA, produces appearance, color, and physical test instruments for paints and coatings, including thickness and film measurement. It overlaps with Phynix in automotive paint shop QA, particularly for PaintCheck-style use cases.
• TQC Sheen: TQC Sheen is a Dutch manufacturer of coating test equipment, including coating thickness gauges, cross hatch cutters, and wet film combs. It directly overlaps with Phynix's surface measurement and adhesion testing product categories.

Broad incumbents

• Oxford Instruments Industrial Analysis: Oxford Instruments offers a broad portfolio of analytical and measurement instruments, including handheld XRF coating thickness analyzers. It competes with Phynix in industrial coating QA via a different (XRF) technology approach.
• Bruker: Bruker is a large scientific instrument company whose measurement and analytical divisions include XRF, XRD, and coating analysis solutions. It is a broad incumbent in coating/materials measurement but is not specialized in handheld industrial gauges.

Regional players

• Time Group (TIME): Time Group is a Chinese manufacturer of ultrasonic thickness gauges, coating thickness gauges, and hardness testers. It overlaps with Phynix's ultrasonic DC-2000C/DC-3000C wall thickness lines and competes primarily in Asia-Pacific markets.

Emerging players

• Testex (Reichert): Testex is a specialty manufacturer of coating thickness test standards and press-O-film thickness calibration products, overlapping with Phynix's calibration standards and adhesion testing accessories as a complementary/specialty peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/phynix-sensortechnik-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Phynix